Quincy Jones dies at 91

Quincy Jones, Iconic Music Producer and Cultural Titan, Passes Away at 91

Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer whose expansive career included producing Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking Thriller, composing award-winning scores for film and television, and collaborating with icons such as Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles, has died at the age of 91.

Jones passed away Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by family, as confirmed by his publicist Arnold Robinson. He was set to receive an honorary Academy Award later this month.

In a heartfelt statement, Jones’ family expressed their grief: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the ne

ws of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. Although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Born in Chicago in 1933, Jones overcame a troubled youth marked by gang involvement to become one of the first Black executives in Hollywood, amassing an extraordinary musical legacy that reflects the richness of American music. His influence reached far and wide, with countless music lovers owning records bearing his name, and leaders from various fields having connections with him.

Throughout his illustrious career, Jones mingled with presidents, foreign leaders, movie stars, and musicians. He toured with jazz legends like Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, arranged records for Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, and composed iconic soundtracks for productions such as Roots and In the Heat of the Night. He also played a pivotal role in the creation of We Are the World, the charity single that aimed to alleviate famine in Africa.

Lionel Richie, who co-wrote We Are the World, referred to Jones as “the master orchestrator.” His prolific work in music began during a time when records were still played on 78 rpm, and he is best remembered for his transformative productions with Michael Jackson, including the monumental albums Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. Jones helped shape Jackson’s evolution from a child star to the “King of Pop,” creating an unforgettable fusion of genres in tracks like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” the latter featuring an iconic guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen.

Thriller remains one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 20 million copies sold in 1983 alone. Reflecting on his role as a producer, Jones remarked, “If an album doesn’t do well, everyone says ‘it was the producer’s fault’; so if it does well, it should be your ‘fault,’ too.” He emphasized the collaborative effort required to bring an album to life.

His accolades include an impressive collection of 27 Grammy Awards (now totaling 28), two honorary Academy Awards, an Emmy for Roots, and numerous other prestigious honors. Jones was also the subject of a 1990 documentary and authored a best-selling autobiography titled Q.

Jones’s early life was fraught with challenges; his mother suffered from emotional issues, leading to her institutionalization. Music became his refuge, providing a sense of peace and purpose.

He learned to play piano as a child and, despite receiving a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, he dropped out to tour with Lionel Hampton’s band. His work as a composer and producer rapidly expanded, leading to collaborations with greats like Billie Holiday and the establishment of his own band.

In the early 1960s, Jones became a vice president at Mercury Records, breaking racial barriers in the music industry. His first film production, The Color Purple, received 11 Oscar nominations but did not win any, a disappointment he carried throughout his career. He later founded Quincy Jones Entertainment, which included the pop culture magazine Vibe and Qwest Broadcasting, ultimately selling the company for $270 million in 1999.

Jones’s contributions to music spanned genres and generations, collaborating with artists across the spectrum, including jazz legends, pop stars, and hip-hop icons. He was instrumental in launching the careers of numerous talents, including Will Smith, whom he helped to star in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and introduced Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg to mainstream audiences through The Color Purple.

Later in life, Jones embraced philanthropy, using his platform to support causes such as HIV/AIDS education, child welfare, and global poverty alleviation. He founded the Quincy Jones Listen Up! Foundation to connect young people with music and culture, driven by what he called “a spirit of adventure and a criminal level of optimism.”

Quincy Jones is survived by his daughters Rashida, Jolie Jones Levine, Rachel, Martina, Kidada, Kenya Kinski-Jones, son Quincy Jones III, and siblings Richard Jones, Theresa Frank, and Margie Jay. He leaves behind a legacy that not only shaped the music industry but also enriched the cultural fabric of America.

Reflecting on his extraordinary life, Jones once wrote, “Life is like a dream… Mine’s been in Technicolor, with full Dolby sound through THX amplification before they knew what these systems were.”